How to Fulfill Your God-Given Purpose: Lessons from an Oak Tree 1.0

by Sharmon Coleman

Do you have a green thumb? I most certainly do not. I can’t even keep silk plants looking healthy! I was therefore a bit worried when I came across Isaiah 61:3: “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of His splendor.” I want to be a majestic oak tree so I can show off God’s splendor, not a puny, stunted twig. Thankfully, God showed me how to be an oak of righteousness even though I do not have a green thumb.

Focus on developing deep roots first. When an acorn begins to sprout, the first focus is on developing a deep root system. Why?

Roots provide nourishment for the tree’s life.

Roots are the key to the tree’s illness or health.

Roots anchor the tree when winds come and keep it from being toppled.

The root system supports the weight of the tree’s growth above ground. As a result, the root system needs to be twice as wide and deep underground as the tree’s canopy above ground.

What are our roots? Our RELATIONSHIP with Jesus! Colossians 2:7 tells us: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him,rootedand built up inHim.”

How do we develop our roots? Like an acorn, our first focus should be deepening our RELATIONSHIP with Christ deeply and daily through the Word and prayer in order to KNOW Him. Every quiet time is like a date with God!

Relationship provides our spiritual nourishment to grow.

Relationship is the key to our spiritual illness or health.

Relationship anchors us when the trials of life come and keep us from being toppled.

Relationship provides support as we grow & begin fulfilling our God-given purpose. As a result, our relationship with Jesus needs to be twice as wide and deep as the life others see.

As we accomplish what He has created and called us to do for Him, it’s easy to neglect our roots/relationship. So, let’s do a quick root inspection.

How deep and wide is your relationship with Jesus?

Are you spending rich time interacting with Him each day, or do you rush just to check it off of your To-Do List?

Do you know Jesus better this year than you did last year?

If your answers make you squirm, I encourage you to carve out time to be alone with Him. Ask Him what needs to change. Write down what you hear and then DO IT. I’ve never once regretted obeying Him, although there have often been drag marks behind me on the way to my first step of obedience.

The most important step to fulfilling your God-given purpose is having a deep, ongoing relationship with Jesus. Need some inspiration? Check out these ideasfor 120 ways to connect with Him.